Well, here we are at the beginning of another exciting year of music making. Summer was busy with a handful of summer students, a couple of gigs and just doing "house stuff" (both inside and out).

My students and I will resume our World Music Exploration with the United States. This week, we are checking out the traditional American folk song called In the Pines.

It dates back to the 1870s and supposedly hails from the Southern Appalachian region. As with many folk songs, the composer is unknown. However, it has been recorded by several prominent musicians, from Lead Belly to Dolly Parton and from Joan Baez to Nirvana.